Term 4 Week 9 (13/12/2024)

What is On?

Dear Parents and Carers

The end of any year is big in every classroom and every school, with families preparing to face changes, children looking forward to their new classes (20 steps across the big top) and teachers looking back with pride at the wonderful community of students and learners in their care. 

This week the school reports have gone home to all households. They were lovely reading. If you can not get them to view on your device ring in and I will send you a PDF- a couple of famileis have done so and it has been no trouble!

As well, this week we celebrated our final assembly at the Bowling Club and if you continue to read you will see the names and images of the wonderful students at St James. Well done children. 

Tuesday is the final mass for the year and the Year 6 Graduation Dinner and then Wednesday will be an out and about in town for the children to move into the Christmas break with a lovely event. 

 Today the students met with the teachers who will be in their classes next year. PLEASE check school bags for a white envelope with the details.

We are still in Stage learning groups but each year group has been assigned a staff member who is "first call and contact about learning and life".  This teacher will lead interviews and support your learners with wellbeing and curriculum matters in 2025.

The stages are as follows:

S3- Mrs Hancock and Ms Aumuller (and Mr Dougherty on a Friday and  Mrs Dougherty in class support)

S2- Ms Forde and Mrs Kelly (with Mrs Hollington as in class support) 

S1- Mrs Ferguson and Mr Dougherty/ Ms Imeson (there is a mix of job share and in class support here)  Ms Malley and Mrs Towner

ES1- Miss Haines and Mrs Imeson and Mrs Towner

The rest of us? Mrs Cole-Inclusion, Mrs Hamilton- Counsellor, Mrs Brash-Canteen, Ms Mooney- Student Support, Mrs Imeson- Library, Mrs Frazer- AEW,  Mrs Cason- AP Teaching and Learning and Mrs Howland -AP Mission, Mrs Smith, Mrs Commerford and Mr Lee- Adminstration and Mr Smith- Grounds

I think I have everyone accounted for! 

See you in Kiss and Drop 

Ann

2024 End of Year Mass

RE News

This week our wonderful donations were picked up by local St Vinnies’ Representatives, Alan and Terry. These food items and gift cards will be distributed to local families in need this festive season. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of our school community for our Christmas Appeal. Many thanks for your support with this initiative.

Wishing you all a happy and holy Christmas.

Renee Howland
Assistant Principal Mission

Christmas Mass Times

End of Year Awards Assembly

Dux: Indie

Dacey: Mignon

Sport: Lola

MJR: Zoe

Class Awards: Sonny, Noah, Ella, Ralph, Declan, Fionn

MJR: Navah, Amelia, Alessia, Archer, Dolly, Slater

The Aunty Doreen Flanders Reconciliation Award: Deja

The Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly Leadership Award: Rashad

2024 Polding & PSSA Representatives: Lola, Chase, Iyla, Ashton

(please click on the photos below see full image)

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Long Way Home

Congratulations to the students who attended the launch of the  ‘Stories from the Clarence Valley 2024 – Fly by Night . A great night with lots of happy writers, their families and their teachers. There were over 400 entries this year and 5 St James students were chosen to be published in the  book - Fly By Night: Ashton, Fionn, Reevan, Remi and  Leah.  At the launch winners were announced from the published list and congratulations to Fionn who was awarded a highly commended in the primary aged section. All writers who were published receive a free copy of the book " Fly By Night "  What a talented group of writers we have and we encourage all students to enter in 2025.

Holiday Reading

Summer Holiday Reading Challenge 

The holiday season is a wonderful time for family, celebration, and relaxation, but it’s also an ideal opportunity to nurture a love of reading in your child. Consistent reading, even during breaks, helps maintain literacy skills, expands vocabulary, and strengthens comprehension—essential tools for lifelong learning.

Reading over the holidays doesn’t have to feel like homework! Encourage your child to explore books that spark their curiosity, from fantasy adventures to graphic novels, or even magazines and cookbooks. Sharing stories as a family can also create meaningful connections and special memories.

Therefore, as an incentive to encourage reading over the break, a Summer Holiday Reading Challenge will be sent home next week! I look forward to seeing the completed challenges in 2025!

Wishing you a joyful and book-filled holiday,

Alanna Cason

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Attendance

Early Stage 1 News

What a wonderful few weeks of learning we’ve had in Kindy! We’ve been exploring our Advent RE unit, learning about waiting and the birth of Jesus, and we’ve made some beautiful nativity crafts. Last Monday, Pipsqueak the Elf arrived in our room, and each day he has been leaving us a task to complete! We’ve also been keeping an Elf Diary, with each student writing a daily recount of what Pip is up to. Investigations have been SO fun, with Petals & Potions and Santa’s Workshop very popular choices. The ES1 team is so proud of our students, it’s truly been a fantastic year of learning!

Birthdays

Mignon 3/1, Lachlan 3/1, Orson 11/1, Jensen 12/1, Mrs Hancock 12/1, Sebastian 13/1, Sonny 15/1, Iyla 16/1, Elsie 17/1, Ned 20/1, Penny 21/1, Ralph 21/1, Grace 25/1, Dolly 29/1, Harlan 31/1, Archer 31/1, Mila 31/1, Ivie 31/1